iPhone SE Supports WiFi 6 and Express Cards, But No U1 Chip Included

[MacRumors]

Apple's new iPhone SE is essentially an iPhone 8 with some updated hardware that brings it in line with the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. Along with an A13 chip, the iPhone 8 has a few other notable hardware upgrades worth noting.

Like the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, the iPhone SE supports 802.11ax WiFi 6, according to the technical specifications page for the device. In fact, it has the same LTE, Bluetooth, and WiFi specifications as the iPhone 11:

• Gigabit-class LTE with 2x2 MIMO and LAA4
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with 2x2 MIMO
• Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
• NFC with reader mode
• Express Cards with power reserve

WiFi 6 is the latest WiFi protocol, and it allows for download speeds up to 38 percent faster than WiFi 5 (802.11ac). WiFi 6 has not been widely adopted as of yet, but addition of WiFi 6 will become increasingly important over the next few years as routers and modems begin implementing support.

The iPhone SE also supports NFC with reader mode as all modern iPhones do, plus Express Cards with power reserve. This feature, also included in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, allows for authentication of Express Transit cards even when an iPhone's battery is exhausted. It will also be a useful feature for the "CarKey" function that Apple has in the works, which will let an iPhone serve as an alternative to a traditional car key in vehicles that support the feature.

Though the iPhone SE shares many connectivity features with Apple's flagship iPhones, it does not include the U1 chip that enables Ultra Wideband technology for improved spatial awareness.

The U1 chip, which is in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, allows iPhones to precisely locate other U1-equipped Apple devices, making it easier to locate missing devices indoors. Ultra Wideband has been described by Apple as "GPS at the scale of the living room," and it is believed to be a key feature of the AirTags that Apple is developing.

AirTags are Bluetooth trackers much like Tile, and will attach to items like keys and wallets to allow them to be found in the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. AirTags will be locatable through standard Bluetooth, but it is believed they will have U1 support and tracking could be more accurate with devices equipped with a U1 chip.

At this time, the U1 chip is limited to Apple's flagship iPhones, and there have been two new devices released without it - the iPad Pro and now, the iPhone SE.

Article Link: iPhone SE Supports WiFi 6 and Express Cards, But No U1 Chip Included

 

[farewelwilliams]

almost like Apple made the mistake of including U1 chip too early in iPhone 11

 

[adamjackson]

Two opinions here

1. U1 chip is too expensive for now to include universally (partially flawed opinion due to the high cost of iPad Pro)
2. U1 chip (and the Tile counterpart) are not being used or exploited to the level Apple would have hoped and therefore not worth including until next upgrade cycles

We're going to see another SE in 3 years, another iPad Pro in 12-18 months and by then the iPhone 12 Pro will be out. It'd be amazing if the iPad 12 gets U1 again but still no other products with the chip.

I thought Tile clone relied on U1 or at least that's the opinion of the Mac-Pundits.

The U1 inclusion can't be that expensive relative to an iPad Pro to include.

 

[EugW]

Two opinions here

1. U1 chip is too expensive for now to include universally (partially flawed opinion due to the high cost of iPad Pro)
2. U1 chip (and the Tile counterpart) are not being used or exploited to the level Apple would have hoped and therefore not worth including until next upgrade cycles

We're going to see another SE in 3 years, another iPad Pro in 12-18 months and by then the iPhone 12 Pro will be out. It'd be amazing if the iPad 12 gets U1 again but still no other products with the chip.

I thought Tile clone relied on U1 or at least that's the opinion of the Mac-Pundits.

The U1 inclusion can't be that expensive relative to an iPad Pro to include.

I suspect 95% of buyers don't know what U1 is and wouldn't care much anyway.

It's definitely not something I'd be looking for in a low cost SE.

 

[jclardy]

So are AirTags going to be cancelled? It seems that Apple doesn't want anyone to have devices that support the full 3d space tracking technology.

Not having it in a $400 phone makes sense, but not so much in their top of the line tablets.

 

[kiensoy]

Too bad the new iPhone SE doesn't have a dazzling display of common sense like the previous iPhone SE/5.

 

[calzon65]

Nice specs for a $399 phone.

I think the new SE will be a success, especially with people tired of seeing $1,000+ smartphones.

 

[4jasontv]

O jeez. We want a flagship handheld. I was so excited to se a new phone, but ugh...

 

[decypher44]

I’m honestly considering a step down. I’ve always been one to get the flagship, plus-sized phones. But now that I have the iPad Pro, and prices being what they are, the SE is actually looking pretty good. Not a whole lot I’d be missing out on. Maybe screen quality.

 

[nutmac]

So are AirTags going to be cancelled? It seems that Apple doesn't want anyone to have devices that support the full 3d space tracking technology.

If AirTags isn't cancelled, 2020 iPhone SE and iPad Pros not including U1 is a hint that AirTags will work with non-U1 devices, albeit at reduced capabilities (e.g., accuracy).

 

[NickName99]

The timing really couldn’t be better. Stimulus checks are on the way, money is tight for a lot of folks but they may still need a newer phone. (Especially if their current phone broke or something)

 

[BenTrovato]

TouchID & an A13

 

[jarman92]

So are AirTags going to be cancelled? It seems that Apple doesn't want anyone to have devices that support the full 3d space tracking technology.

Not having it in a $400 phone makes sense, but not so much in their top of the line tablets.

I don't think it makes sense to not include in in the SE either. Why would Apple release a product (AirTags) that only works with a single product line?

 

[alayal]

I would like to know the ram of this phone, battery and if it supports tap to wake
The only bad thing is that it does not have night mode.

 

[mi7chy]

Hope it's Intel and not the inferior Qualcomm modem.

 

[konqerror]

Two opinions here

1. U1 chip is too expensive for now to include universally (partially flawed opinion due to the high cost of iPad Pro)
2. U1 chip (and the Tile counterpart) are not being used or exploited to the level Apple would have hoped and therefore not worth including until next upgrade cycles

3. UWB requires new antennas operating over a different frequency band and it's too difficult to add that in without having to reengineer the chassis (which then cascades down the ecosystem by requiring retooling of cases, etc), driving the cost of the whole thing way up.

 

[dontwalkhand]

If this doesn't have a U1 chip, maybe there will be no AirTags after all, for which I am deeply disappointed.

 

[iGeek2019]

I would like to know the ram of this phone, battery and if it supports tap to wake
The only bad thing is that it does not have night mode.

In terms of ‘Tap to Wake’ I have no idea-the Tech Specs don’t mention it but then again nor do the Tech Specs for iPhone 11 (which does). But, given the inclusion of Haptic Touch it would be a curious omission if not.

 

[nezr]

Does it use Qualcomm ??

 

[GuruZac]

This is an excellent phone for $400. Flagship processor and single camera, wireless charging, 3GB of RAM. Great little phone.
[automerge]1586976358[/automerge]

I would like to know the ram of this phone, battery and if it supports tap to wake
The only bad thing is that it does not have night mode.

It’s 3GB assuming it is in line with rumors.

 

[adamjackson]

3. UWB requires new antennas operating over a different frequency band and it's too difficult to add that in without having to reengineer the chassis (which then cascades down the ecosystem by requiring retooling of cases, etc), driving the cost of the whole thing way up.

Excellent point. With the iPhone SE and iPad Pro being evolutionary, the U1 would have contributed cost and time. It's just un-Apple-like to roll out something so slowly. Usually they commit and it shows up in everything at next refresh.

 

[konqerror]

almost like Apple made the mistake of including U1 chip too early in iPhone 11

That's been Apple hardware for many years now. Stuff like NFC, dual camera, TrueDepth, even the Watch, requires 1-2 OS releases, i.e. years, for them to really have good utility.

 

[parker5011]

This is an excellent phone for $400. Flagship processor and single camera, wireless charging, 3GB of RAM. Great little phone.
[automerge]1586976358[/automerge]

It’s 3GB assuming it is in line with rumors.

Also dual sim capabilities. I’m in. I’m gonna get the 128gig for $450. Double storage is worth it to me for $50

 

[gnomeisland]

That's been Apple hardware for many years now. Stuff like NFC, dual camera, TrueDepth, even the Watch, requires 1-2 OS releases, i.e. years, for them to really have good utility.

True, but in this case the U1 chip really only has utility when it reaches a saturation level. Not including it in what will likely be their top selling phone of 2020 is mistake. I think you could make a case that part of the reason 3D Touch didn't catch on was because it never become universal among Apple's own devices.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Apple's new iPhone SE is essentially an iPhone 8 with some updated hardware that brings it in line with the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. Along with an A13 chip, the iPhone 8 has a few other notable hardware upgrades worth noting.

Heads up on the error, MR.